More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…

[It seemeth to me probable that Christ can sufficiently Baptize Infants spiritually without this washing, and by consequence, can save them. Whence it is commonly said, that there is a threefold Baptism of the Church, that is, the Baptism of water, the Baptism of blood, and the Baptism of the Spirit: And every one of them to the meet, sufficeth to salvation — Nor dare I assert that the Infants Mat. 2. killed for Christ are damned. But the Baptism of the spirit is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is simply necessary to every one that he be saved. Therefore the other two Baptisms are antecedent signs, and suppositively necessary to this third Baptism of the spirit. Therefore without doubt where that insensible baptism is, the Baptized person is cleansed from his sin: and if that be wanting, let the former be never so much present, Baptism profiteth not the soul to salvation. Seeing therefore this is insensible, and so much unknown to us, it seemeth to me imprudent presumption so to define mens salvation, or damnation by their Baptism. But yet we hold without doubting, that Infants rightly Baptized with water, are Baptized with the third Baptism, when (or seeing) they have Baptismal grace.—For it is not lawful for the faithful, on supposition of the Baptism of the spirit, to cast off the Baptism of water, but it is necessary to receive it, when the opportunity ⟨p. 360⟩of circumstance is offered. And seeing whatever cometh to pass, doth come to pass of necessity, it maybe said that such a one cannot be saved without such Baptism.]

And to the question of an old woman Baptizing children in necessity, he saith, [Credimus tamen quod quaecunque Vetula vel abjecta persona rite lavante hominem cum verbis sacramentalibus Baptismum flaminis Deus complet.] The Reader must pardon the Latin to the Author or Printer, which may thus be Englished. [But we believe that what old woman soever or abject person rightly washeth one with the Sacramental words, God fulfilleth the Baptism of the spirit.]

And to the question of an old woman Baptizing children in necessity, he saith, [Credimus tamen quod quaecunque Vetula vel abjecta persona rite lavante hominem cum verbis sacramentalibus Baptismum flaminis Deus complet.] The Reader must pardon the Latine to the Author or Printer, which may thus be Englished. [But we believe that what old woman soever or abject person rightly washeth one with the Sacramental words, God fulfilleth the Baptism of the spirit.]